1
as in to pretend
to present a false appearance of
he dissembled happiness at the news that his old girlfriend was getting married—to someone else
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to dissimulate
to take on a false or deceptive appearance
children learn to dissemble at a surprisingly early age
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dissemble
The defense of Putin’s regime has been offered by people operating as literary critics, ever disassembling and dissembling.
—
Timothy Snyder, Foreign Affairs, 6 Sep. 2022
That same week, Altman made headlines at a Senate hearing by asking to be regulated — wowing senators who were more accustomed to tech CEOs dissembling or responding evasively to questions.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 14 Feb. 2024
That year, with 23,000 U.S. troops in Vietnam, the administration was still dissembling about the American role in the war.
—Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2024
As are Philip and Elizabeth Jennings, always knowing the precise right play: who’s dissembling, where’s the weak spot.
—Laura Kipnis, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for dissemble
Timothy Snyder, Foreign Affairs, 6 Sep. 2022
That same week, Altman made headlines at a Senate hearing by asking to be regulated — wowing senators who were more accustomed to tech CEOs dissembling or responding evasively to questions.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 14 Feb. 2024
That year, with 23,000 U.S. troops in Vietnam, the administration was still dissembling about the American role in the war.
—Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2024
As are Philip and Elizabeth Jennings, always knowing the precise right play: who’s dissembling, where’s the weak spot.
—Laura Kipnis, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for dissemble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissemble
Verb
-
In most fields workers are prone to deny a problem and even pretend to enjoy the abuse.—
James L. Edwards III,
The Athletic,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Don't punish efficiency by piling on more work or forcing them to sit around pretending to be busy.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Begin the transition one to two months before the new baby's due date, assuming that your toddler is at least 18 months old, says Dr. Widome.—
Laura Broadwell,
Parents,
18 Mar. 2025
-
The act's fine print states that the president can only assume this authority once Congress has declared war.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Taiwan's largest annual war games, held to simulate responses to a possible Chinese invasion, will publicly assume a full-scale attack for the first time in 2027.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
-
From simulating the flow of people, goods, utilities and other life support systems to predicting emergency impacts, digital twins provide a vital, real-time lens into urban complexities.—
Timothy Papandreou,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to dissemble
Cite this Entry
“Dissemble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissemble. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share